Israel Intensifies Gaza Campaign, Airstrike in Qatar Kills Hamas Officials

Lead: Israeli forces ordered the full evacuation of Gaza City and carried out an airstrike in Doha on September 10, killing six Hamas members and a Qatari security guard, further straining ceasefire talks.

Nut Graf: The evacuation order comes amid warnings of famine and dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, while the unprecedented strike on Qatari soil risks derailing diplomatic efforts toward a Gaza ceasefire and two‐state solution.

Gaza City Evacuation and Humanitarian Crisis Israel’s military command mandated that Gaza City’s roughly one million residents flee southward ahead of a planned ground offensive. In response, the World Health Organization declared it will remain in the city to provide critical medical services, warning that relocation to Israel’s designated “humanitarian zone” in the south is unfeasible and could exacerbate civilian suffering.

Diplomatic Fallout from Doha Airstrike Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli jets targeted a residential compound in Doha, Qatar-home to Hamas negotiators-killing five senior Hamas officials and one Qatari guard. Israel named the operation “Summit of Fire,” prompting Qatar to condemn it as “state terrorism” and raising concerns that the attack will undermine ongoing ceasefire mediation.

Political and Economic Implications U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee reported that growing international momentum to recognize a Palestinian state has contributed to Israel’s refusal to release nearly $3 billion in tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority-a move that risks deepening economic distress in the West Bank.

Regional and International Reactions

  • Qatar’s leadership warned that strikes on its territory could collapse peace negotiations and damage bilateral ties.
  • The WHO and other UN agencies appealed for unfettered humanitarian access across Gaza to avert a man‐made famine.
  • Several European governments accelerated plans to recognize Palestinian statehood at the upcoming UN General Assembly, pressuring both Israel and the Palestinian Authority toward political reforms and aid distribution.

September 10, 2025